Burlington vs Marshalls: Which Store is Cheaper?

Burlington and Marshalls, both famed off-price retailers, offer customers an array of merchandise.

Burlington, starting its journey as the Burlington Coat Factory, is known for its wide-ranging, high-quality products, from clothing to home items, all at steeply discounted prices.

Marshalls, a TJX Companies subsidiary, operates on a slightly different principle – the ‘Surprise and Delight’ policy.

Its inventory, spanning from fashion to home goods, is continuously changing, providing a unique shopping experience with every visit.

While both stores offer great deals, the shopping experiences vary slightly.

Burlington is often praised for its organized displays, making shopping straightforward, whereas Marshalls’ rapidly changing inventory keeps customers on their toes, offering an element of surprise in every shopping trip.

Prices & Sales

Off-price retailers Burlington and Marshalls both offer significant discounts, but their pricing strategies differ. At Burlington, customers often find items discounted up to 50-70%, making certain products like jeans, which would retail for $150, available for just $65 to $75.

Marshalls also provides discounts ranging between 20-60%, translating into savings on items like shoes, which might be bought for $60 to $80 instead of the original $150. Marshalls sets itself apart with frequent markdowns due to its ever-rotating inventory.

During clearance sales, both stores push discounts even further, often up to 70-75%. However, considering the average discounts, Burlington is typically cheaper than Marshalls. Nevertheless, Marshalls’ regular sales events might give savvy shoppers opportunities for greater savings.

Variety of Products

Marshalls boasts an extensive range of products, catering to various customer needs.

Their product range includes clearance items and fresh arrivals, along with a distinctive collection named “Now & Wow!”. This particular category features the most current trends at highly attractive prices.

Gender-specific categories, including women’s and men’s, showcase an array of fashionable apparel and shoes. Beauty & Accessories offer a selection of makeup, skincare, and fashion accessories, while Kids & Baby covers all the needs for the younger ones.

Their Home category offers a variety of home decor and essentials. Plus, the Gifts section makes it easy to find the perfect present for any occasion.

On the other hand, Burlington offers a similar variety but with a few unique categories.

They emphasize affordability with sections like “Under $10” and seasonal categories like “Back to Campus” and “Back to School”, making it easy for customers to find seasonally appropriate items.

Ladies, Plus, Kids, Juniors, and Mens categories cater to a diverse set of age groups and body types.

The Beauty and Shoes sections offer a wide array of personal care products and footwear. Burlington also offers Handbags, Home essentials, and Baby products, ensuring a comprehensive shopping experience for every customer.

Credit Cards

Marshalls TJX Rewards Credit Card offers 5% back in rewards when customers shop across its family of brands. This system accumulates points, where every $1 spent across Marshalls, T.J. Maxx, HomeGoods, Homesense, and Sierra Trading Post equals 5 points.

Additionally, for every $1 spent on other purchases, customers receive 1 point, where each point equates to a penny. Upon reaching 1000 points, customers earn a $10 reward that can be redeemed both in-store and online.

Also, rewards certificates are digitally accessible within 48 hours or less, further enhancing the convenience. However, a credit score of at least 640 is required to apply for this card.

On the other hand, the Burlington Credit Card provides a 10% discount on the first purchase made with the new card. Thereafter, for every $1 spent on Burlington purchases, customers earn 1 point.

These points can be redeemed for rewards, with 100 points equating to $5, 500 points to $25, 1000 points to $50, and 2000 points to $100 in rewards.

It’s noteworthy that these rewards are subject to certain terms and conditions and may change over time.

While this card can be used at any store accepting MasterCard, the best rewards are accrued when shopping at Burlington.

What Do Customers Say About Burlington

Customers frequently express their appreciation for Burlington’s conveniently located stores and the diversity of their inventory.

Although they note the presence of some lower-quality items with ‘branded’ tags, the majority of the goods are of high-quality and priced reasonably:

“I’m fortunate to have a couple of Burlington stores located just a short drive from my residence, and I must admit, I adore them both in equal measure.

A key thing to note about Burlington is that the inventory is quite diverse, with some items being of lesser quality albeit carrying ‘Branded’ tags, but also showcasing a multitude of high-quality goods at reasonable prices. And it’s not just about apparel either.

Burlington truly shines when you’re in the market for Suits or Separates. It is also an excellent resource for underwear, ties, and belts.”

However, there are concerns regarding their return policy which some customers find disappointing and inconvenient:

“While I’m generally pleased with the quality of their merchandise at an affordable price, the return policy has been quite a letdown.

My recent online purchase amounted to $133.99, out of which I was unhappy with two items worth $35. The return process, however, has proven to be a rather inconvenient and costly ordeal.

Returning the items in-store would mean settling for store credit and making an unnecessary trip, while mailing them back would incur a $10 charge.

It seems I can’t escape losing money in this situation, which is quite frustrating. Unfortunately, customer service hasn’t been much help either.

I wish Burlington would consider at least one free return for substantial purchases. This experience has slightly marred my otherwise pleasant shopping experience.”

Burlington Shipping and Return Policy

Burlington, adopting a unique approach, decided to discontinue all online sales just before the onset of the global pandemic. While some might consider this move counter-intuitive in a digital age where e-commerce flourishes, Burlington not only persisted but also thrived.

When it comes to their return policy, Burlington grants customers a period of 30 days to return purchased items. The prerequisites for a valid return include the presentation of the original receipt and ensuring that the merchandise is in a new, unworn, and unwashed condition, ideally in its original packaging.

All shopping takes place at Burlington’s brick-and-mortar stores; for the most accurate and current information – it’s recommended to check with your local Burlington store or reach out to their customer service.

Burlington Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Burlington carries an array of products ranging from clothing for all genders and age groups, to home goods and beauty items
• Shopping at Burlington is always exciting due to its constantly changing inventory, making each visit unique
• Burlington frequently updates its offerings with special sections like summer clearance, under $10 deals, and back-to-school essentials

Cons:

• Some items of lower quality can be found amongst the ‘branded’ tags, which can be disappointing
• The return process can be inconvenient and costly for customers, particularly for online purchases

What Do Customers Say About Marshalls

In certain cases, customers have reported receiving incorrect items, pointing to possible inventory management issues:

“They shipped the wrong suit, which didn’t match the image on the website, a clear inventory mismatch issue.

Their proposed solution was to return the incorrect item, which is inconvenient, and it means waiting three weeks for a refund for their mistake.

There was no apology or compensatory discount code offered, and their customer service representatives didn’t seem particularly interested in resolving the issue.

The most frustrating part is that the incorrect item can’t be returned in-store. This experience has discouraged me from shopping online with Marshalls again.”

For many shoppers, Marshalls is the preferred destination for inexpensive, branded workout clothes. Customers also report positive experiences with online shopping:

“I’ve always had a penchant for a good bargain, and Marshalls has proven to be a treasure trove. The stores are neat, well-organized, and boast an extensive collection of shoes.

It’s my go-to place for affordable, branded workout attire, including names like Nike and Adidas. Also, I’ve had positive, hassle-free experiences when buying sports pants online.

Beyond clothing, I’ve found a host of items, from yoga mats and hardcover books to kitchenware and bedding sets. For budget-conscious shoppers seeking variety – this Marshall’s branch is an excellent choice.”

Marshalls Shipping and Return Policy

Marshalls offers a comprehensive shipping and return policy to cater to its customer base.

Shipping Methods and Fees: Marshalls provides three distinct shipping options within the United States, applying to street addresses within the 48 contiguous states. These options vary in terms of delivery times and costs based on the purchase amount.

Standard Ground Shipping: With a delivery time of 5-10 days, it costs $9.99 for purchases under $89 and $10.99 for purchases over $89.

Express Shipping: Promising delivery within 3-4 business days, this option costs $19.99 for purchases under $89 and $20.99 for purchases over $89.

Expedited Shipping: Offering delivery in 2-3 business days, it’s priced at $26.99 for purchases under $89 and $27.99 for purchases over $89.

Return Policy: Customers can return merchandise purchased in-store to any open Marshalls store within 30 days of purchase.

Marshalls Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Marshalls offers an extensive range of products across various categories, ensuring a comprehensive shopping experience
• With constantly changing inventory, Marshalls offers a unique shopping experience with each visit, bringing a sense of surprise and excitement
• Frequent markdowns due to its ever-rotating inventory can provide savvy shoppers opportunities for greater savings
• Shoppers earn 5% back in rewards when shopping across Marshalls, T.J. Maxx, HomeGoods, Homesense, and Sierra Trading Post

Cons:

• Some customers have reported receiving incorrect items from online orders, indicating potential issues with inventory management
• The online return policy might be inconvenient for some customers, as items shipped incorrectly cannot be returned in-store

Conclusion

Burlington and Marshalls are notable off-price retailers offering diverse products at substantial discounts.

Burlington typically provides deeper discounts, but Marshalls’ constantly changing inventory offers frequent sales and a surprise factor.

Both stores have extensive product ranges, but Marshalls’ rotating inventory offers more surprise finds, while Burlington emphasizes affordability.

Their credit cards offer different rewards, with Marshalls giving 5% back in rewards across their brands, and Burlington providing points redeemable for discounts.

Customer feedback highlights the diversity and affordability at Burlington and the bargain finds at Marshalls.

However, Burlington’s return policy and Marshalls’ online inventory management have room for improvement.